Moments of This Way or That

I have been reflecting more and more about my past as I age. One of the biggest deathbed confessions is regret. I have much regret, and I have a lot of life to live. But it is hard to have hope when so many instances could have been avoided or done differently. I know we all do that, we all think that to some degree. Life is made up of millions of moments, millions of something going this way or that way, moments of time that could have changed the course of our lives many times over. As I look back there are obviously many big moments that I easily recognize where things could have gone so much differently. But intertwined within all that are all those little moments where turning left or right or not moving at all would have eventually turned into or led into a bigger moment. For example, helping someone cross the street, helping with a flat tire, actually doing my college homework. All those moments that just pass us by could possibly have an immense impact on future life for oneself or for another individual. Maybe helping that person across the street just minutely changes their trajectory and attitude, and they in turn because of that, take a left instead of a right setting their course for a different journey. Some of the simplest things can lead to the greatest journeys. Some of the biggest things can lead us to roadblocks and dead ends.

Moments of this way and that are the pathway of our past that have led us to the now. Moments to come are still awaiting to be discovered or ignored. That’s really how life works, simple and grand moments of this way and that creating our life’s story. Sounds like a catchy song. Moments of this way or that, life can be bold, or life can be flat, la, la, la, la. If only living life was as simple as a song. But no matter the direction, it is all still our own adventure. We choose how it will go no matter the situation. I tend to find myself making many excuses in those moments or still sometimes doing nothing at all. Isn’t that the entire concept of moments of this way or that? It’s easy in hindsight to see the triumphs and the folly. One would think we would learn and become wiser, but I have found that still we continue to do the same things over and over. Is that Kharma? Until we become so self-aware that when those moments are upon us, we are able to discern it in the now and thusly make better choices of this way and that. I believe when we are able to do that our lives take on an entirely different tone and illustration and we are more apt to live in our passions than in our regret.

As a living being time is one of those things that we cannot get more of. Once it’s passed, it’s gone, gone into the ether of never being. We do have memories that can still remind us and guide us but living in the now is always a daily choice. Moments of this way and that can be as smooth as a glass on a high mountain lake or as turbulent as a storm on the great lakes. The key is to know the difference right in the space of that very moment to go this way or that. How many times in our lives are we given the choice to be acutely aware that it effects our pathway forward? All those moments are the rocks in the river, changing the flow of water to its ultimate destination. The journey is one filled with passion and fulfillment or can be one filled with regret and sorrow. Maybe the journey is a little of both. One thing I have learned is that looking back should be a catalyst to looking forward if we were to be so wise. Which moments can you reflect on and wantonly understand the moment of this way or that to guide you to here or there? Life is teeming of them.